Ranieri commits to four more years of Leicester story

August 10 – Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri, who masterminded the club’s memorable Premier League success last season, has signed a new four-year contract.

The 64-year-old Italian’s side won the title at odds of 5,000-1 and will be one of the top seeds in the Champions League draw later this month.

“The energy that exists here – from the owners and the staff, to the players and supporters – is something very special,” Ranieri told Leicester’s website.

“Last season, that spirit and our hard work helped us to achieve something magical. If we can continue to work hard, maintain our passion and continue to fight with all our hearts, I am sure we can continue to be successful together.”

Leicester begin the new campaign with a trip to promoted Hull City on Saturday. Thai vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “Twelve months ago, we brought to Leicester City a man whose knowledge and experience, we felt, could lead us into the next phase of our long-term plan. What he would go on to help us achieve, in the time we have achieved it, has been beyond anything we could have anticipated.”